The Legend Of The Wizard's Apprentice (Book 1) (18 page)

A great cheer went up and Kerwyn’s name was heard being chanted above all other sounds. Back and forth the elves went from the forest and back to their homes again. This was even better than what they had before. Now they would always have a sentient being standing watch over the forest Elvin domain.

Again, Master Sernett shook his head at what a marvel his apprentice was becoming. Kerwyn was turning trees into living beings with their own personalities and he now turned a pure energy barrier into a sentient living thing as well. Master Sernett wondered what Kerwyn’s next miracle would be. Master Sernett was already getting worried about Kerwyn’s use of the dark necromancer magic since Erlina told him about Kerwyn’s use of it on the shrieker. Kerwyn shouldn’t have been able to cast any magic right now, let alone any of the dark magic that were forbidden for everyone’s safety. Shaking his head again, Master Sernett went back to his room. The next few days would be interesting to say the least and he had better go and get prepared because once the journey began, things could become very dangerous and he would need to know every trick and spell he had ever learnt to survive. Turning around, he spied Kerwyn and followed the lad’s gaze to where Erlina stood with sad-looking eyes. Master Sernett knew that there was something special between those two and that one way or another there would be trouble for both of them later.

Heading back towards his room, Master Sernett wondered, “Why Kerwyn? He is such a normal boy.”

By the time Kerwyn made it back to his room it was already well past midnight. Once the elves were able to access the barrier, a huge party followed. The elves that went out found enough honey to last them for quite some time and they also acquired their own Honeybees so that they would never again run short on the wonderful golden liquid. The hunters returned with lots of meat and there was wild boar, deer, partridge and even some animals that Kerwyn wasn’t sure what they were but he was told, they were delicious.

The queen ordered a feast and a celebration because, come morning, their guests would be leaving on an adventure to go and see the forest witch. Kerwyn had to admit that the one thing elves did very well was throw a party. There was so much food that it would have taken weeks just to eat it all. There were lots of liquor and plenty of ale for anyone who wanted it. Then there was the music and dancing and until you have heard elf play music; you have not heard music at all. It was the most beautiful music Kerwyn had ever heard and when the Elvin people wanted to dance, their bodies became an extension of the music. The party was still going strong when Kerwyn left to go to bed. When he got to his room he noticed that his door was open just a crack. Cautiously Kerwyn opened the door wondering why someone would have entered his room. Looking around, all he could see was something had been left on his bed with a note. Walking over to it, Kerwyn picked up what looked like an expensive silver broach with a large red ruby in the center of it. Looking it over, Kerwyn saw that there were runes inscribed all over the back of it and, looking deeply into the ruby, he could see there were runes marked on it as well. Picking up the note, Kerwyn began to read:

Kerwyn
,

I know that you and I are meant to be together but for the time being my mother has forbidden our union. I know that you love me and I know that I love you. No matter what my mother says, you and I are destined for great things. I can feel it in my soul that you and I will one day be allowed to be together and I hold you in my heart until that day
.

This broach will allow us to communicate with one another over distances
.

Just look deeply into the broach and say my name three times and it will let me know you are trying to contact me. The same will happen if I need to contact you; your broach will light up and let you know that I am waiting to talk to you. Please don’t be mad at me for breaking my mother’s decree. But I need to know that you will be safe and I wanted you to know that I will be here waiting for you upon your return
.

Oh one other thing: I saw Master Faunus and he wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning
.

With love
,

Erlina
.

Kerwyn read the letter a few more times and couldn’t help but smile knowing Erlina did in fact love him and that he loved her as well. Somehow he was going to have to prove to her mother that he was worthy of her daughter’s love.

A motion in the corner of the room caught Kerwyn’s attention. His eyes found the origin of the movement and there, looking at him, was his little imp friend Hernes.

“Come here, Hernes, you and I are friends and I won’t hurt you,” said Kerwyn.

Hernes trusted his strange elf friend but old habits were hard to break. Slowly he disengaged himself from the shadows and made his way over to Kerwyn. Bending down, Kerwyn reached out his hand for Hernes to climb up onto. Feeling safe with Kerwyn, Hernes climbed up and let him be lifted by Kerwyn.

“How are you today, Hemes?” asked Kerwyn

“I am worried, Master, because you are leaving and once more I will be left alone and hiding in fear and living on any scraps that I can steal. I want to go with you. I promise I won’t be too much of a bother and I promise to help you in your quest in any way that I can. My mischievous ways are gone from me as I have been living in fear and alone for far too long. Now all I want is a friend and not to be always by myself,” Hernes said, his little head downcast, as though he were begging not to be left behind by his only friend.

“Hernes, of course you can come with me, but how will we hide you from everyone? Or maybe once we are on the road you might like the rest of the group and we could all be friends,” suggested Kerwyn.

“Oh no, Master! I will stay hidden in your belt pack and if you need me I will be watching so that I can help,” said Hernes.

“Ok, Hernes, it’s a deal. I’ll take you in my belt pack and you and I can stay together so that you won’t be lonely and when I need help, you’ll be there to watch my back. Well, so to speak,” laughed Kerwyn.

“Oh Master! You have made this imp very happy and I will never forget your kindness at not leaving me alone. I don’t know how much longer I would have been able to hide from the sharp-eyed forest elves,” said Hernes with a shake of his head.

“Well Hernes, I need to get some sleep as I have to go and meet Master Faunus tomorrow morning, “said Kerwyn.

“Oh, please be careful, Master. I cannot go there with you. Master Faunus scares me and I know he doesn’t like imps at all. I will wait here in your room till you return to get me tomorrow. Now don’t worry Master, you can go to sleep and I will watch over you. No one will bother you while I’m on watch,” said Hernes with a smile so big that almost split his face in half.

“Good night, Hernes,” said Kerwyn as he climbed into bed. Dreams of Erlina filled Kerwyn’s head, and smiling at thoughts of her beauty, sleep wasn’t long taking him.

chapter eight

THE PROPHESY

The following morning Kerwyn had an appointment with Master Faunus at the elf wizard’s house. Kerwyn knocked on the door and Master Faunus opened it, welcoming Kerwyn inside.

Kerwyn was amazed at what he saw. There were spell books and scrolls everywhere. One massive scroll was laid out on the kitchen table and was held open by four skulls, which looked like they could have belonged to imps at one time. Cringing, Kerwyn now understood why Hernes did not want to come here.

“So, Master Kerwyn, do you know why I have asked to see you?” questioned Master Faunus.

“No, Master, I do not know why you wanted to see me. But I guess it must have something to do with our trip to see the forest witch, Druantia,” said Kerwyn.

“Your guess is half right. The other half was because I haven’t seen a wizard as powerful as you in a very long time. Also, I wanted to know what it is like living with Mother Nature, a god, inside of you. Does she take over when she is there? Or is it more like a symbiotic relationship where she is there in your head but you still have total control?” asked Master Faunus.

“Hmmm... it is like the last one you mentioned. Mother Nature never takes direct control of me but I feel her in my head and when the time is right I can feel her helping me with casting some spells and stuff. It is almost like I become and extension of her will. Take the barrier for example; I think it was Mother Nature the brought it to life. Sure, I was the one that cast the spell, but I think it was Mother Nature who directed me,” explained Kerwyn.

“That is what I thought. Now, what about this other being inside of you?” Master Faunus asked, approaching Kerwyn to get a closer look at his black eye. Master Faunus narrowed his own eyes and peered into Kerwyn’s black eye very deeply, almost as though he were trying to see behind Kerwyn’s head.

“This being is very strange; it has adapted enough to take over one of your eyes but lays dormant as if waiting for something. I can tell that it is, or at least
was
, a very powerful being when it still had life to it. I can tell that it still has a lot of power but it just sits there, not doing anything. Have you had it take control of you or do the same thing as with Mother Nature where you become the extension of it?” asked Master Faunus.

“Yes, Master, I have felt it take control and it made me cast dark magic. It helped me when the shrieker was attacking; that’s how I was able to destroy it. I cast a pure black beam of energy that disintegrated it. I have no idea how I cast such an evil and deadly spell,” said Kerwyn, not wanting to lie about what he had done.

“Now that is very interesting. So it has the power to cast dark magic when it needs to keep you alive. I wonder what it’s waiting for?” mused Master Faunus as he looked again into Kerwyn’s black eye, shook his head and stepped back.

“Well, enough about that for now. Tell me, do you love our young and impulsive Princess Erlina? I know that you two have a special bond and one I don’t think her mother yet realizes. But it is there none-the-less and I think that there is another being involved that might make your joining with her possible. If the queen allows it, that is,” finished Master Faunus.

“What do you mean
there is another being involved
who can make it possible for Erlina and I to be together?” asked Kerwyn

“Oh, I have no idea but mark my words: there is one who is looking out for you and your future interests,” with a nod, Master Faunus turned and walked towards the stove.

“Would you care for some tea, Master Kerwyn?”

“Yes please, Master Faunus,” answered Kerwyn and then asked, “Master, why me? Why have I been chosen to have multiple beings living inside of me? What I mean is; I’m nobody important. I’m just an apprentice wizard. My own family gave me away when I was just little, so why me? I still cast spells wrong and sometimes I’m more of a danger than the creatures we are facing,” said Kerwyn, looking at the floor.

“Oh Master Kerwyn, it is because you are exactly who you are that you have been chosen for greatness. Fate has big plans for you, and you just don’t understand it yet. But one day I’m sure all will be made clear. You are a remarkable young man Master Kerwyn and I respect you. You have shown strength, compassion, love and humility. You are well deserving of what fate has in store for you. You are an honest man and one worthy of being our king one day,” said Master Faunus with a smile as he tussled Kerwyn’s hair.

“Master Faunus, I do not want to be your king. I just want Princess Erlina to love me,” said Kerwyn.

“That is what will make you a great king. Don’t ever lose your human side. A little bit of humanity is what we elves need. Anyway, enough about that, here is your tea and the reason I wanted you to come for a visit was for this,” reaching into his pocket he pulled out an elaborate golden ring with runes all over it.

Handing it to Kerwyn he said, “Now this is an item that I found when I was just a young lad. I found it in the old dragon Fafnir’s cave. I don’t know if he knows that I have it but he was really angry with me and told me to not touch any of his treasure. Dragons are funny that way; they accumulate so much treasure that all they can do is sit on it. What would he do with one single ring anyway? Kerwyn, this ring makes you impervious to fire; it puts a barrier around you that is there all the time and fire cannot harm you. Wear it always and be protected. Now that you’re done your tea, let me see those tea leaves.” He looked into Kerwyn’s cup at the tea leaves in the bottom that Kerwyn had finished without even realizing it. Master Faunus went into a trace and said,